Milos Raonic: “Sampras is my idol, Djokovic is a good friend and I’d love to have dinner with a Victoria’s Secret model”

October 25, 2013

This week's King of the Court is world No 11 Milos Raonic, the Canadian 22-year-old who has won five ATP World Tour titles and finished runner-up to Rafael Nadal in the Rogers Cup Masters event in Montreal in August. Born in Titograd, Yugoslavia (now Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro), Raonic moved to Canada with his family at the age of three and has since become renowned for his massive serve - he hit the second fastest serve of all time on the tour last year at a speed of 155mph.

Photo Credit to: Dailymail

__________

Written by: Stuart Fraser

This week’s King of the Court is world No 11 Milos Raonic, the Canadian 22-year-old who has won five ATP World Tour titles and finished runner-up to Rafael Nadal in the Rogers Cup Masters event in Montreal in August.

Born in Titograd, Yugoslavia (now Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro), Raonic moved to Canada with his family at the age of three and has since become renowned for his massive serve – he hit the second fastest serve of all time on the tour last year at a speed of 155mph.

__________

What is the best match you have ever played?

Milos: It is tough to really think of one match. I think playing James Blake in the third round of the 2012 US Open was one of the best and cleanest matches I have ever played [Raonic won 6-3, 6-0, 7-6].

What is the worst?

Milos: There are a lot on that side of the list too. I believe it was this year at Wimbledon in the second round against Igor Sijsling [then ranked No 64] when I lost in straight sets. Maybe it was not the worst but it was the one I was most disappointed with.

If you could team up in doubles with any player from history, who would it be and why?

Milos:Pete Sampras. I idolised him and tried to learn as much as I could when I did watch him.

Who are your best friends in the locker room and what do you get up to with them as you travel the world?

Milos: I get along well with Feliciano Lopez, Novak Djokovic, Bernard Tomic and all the former Yugoslavian players. We just have dinners – it is pretty quiet on the tour, not really too much exciting crazy stuff going on.

What is the strangest or funniest question you have been asked in press?

Milos: I was once asked what shirt I will be wearing for my next match.

Who is your favourite sports team or athlete and what is your most memorable moment watching them?

Milos: The Toronto Raptors basketball team. I think we need to create some more memorable moments. We are still working on our history.
I have a few favourite athletes but I really like Michael Jordan. I obviously don’t remember much of watching him live but watching his highlight reels was impressive. I also really enjoy watching Kevin Durant, Sidney Crosby and Steve Nash. The basketball players stand out a little bit for me because it is one of my favourite sports.

What is your favourite travel destination away from the tennis tour?

Milos: I like to go home when I can. That is where I spend my vacations most of the time.

Dailymail Original Full Article can be found by clicking here.

A New Reality By Nicolas Pereira

August 9, 2020

This past week in the World Team Tennis ‘Bubble” I have seen the efforts to keep everyone safe while carrying on a team competition with around 60/70 players and coaches onsite. Counting organizers, officials, media, and support personnel are around 150 people trying hard to make this happen. I am very impressed by how the strict protocol has been handled and how everyone is invested in making this event a success, but The Open is a completely different scale of details.

ONcourt Interviews NGTL Co-Founder Yves Boulais

July 30, 2020

It does not matter that you get your rating playing locally or that you had spent an insidious amount of money playing the ITF junior tour tournaments. Your rating is your level of play (you get no bonus for playing more or playing far away). This allows us to break free of the ITF competitive structure potentially saving us time, money, and headache. We see this as a great opportunity to improve the logistic of our sport.

Brandon Burke (son of ACE President Doug Burke) Elected to WTA Board

July 8, 2020

As revealed in a recent news release issued by the WTA Tour – Brandon Burke has been elected to the WTA Board of Directors (to start officially in September). Oncourt got together with Brandon to delve a bit more into his background and to gain some insight into this wonderful appointment he has attained at such a young age.